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Few Studies Examine the Effect of Health Literacy on LBP Treatment Outcomes

Spine Patient Education, Patient Centered, Education

A review of published research on the implications of patient Healthcare Literacy (HL) in patients with lower back pain (LBP) found that evidence-based studies were minimal and that further research could be beneficial in determining future treatment costs and outcomes. The ability of chronic pain sufferers to access, understand, and apply health information defines HL and can be helpful to practitioners treating LBP patients. The reviewers sought to understand how HL affects LBP patient treatment outcomes.

The Review

Researchers performed a data search using lower back pain terms in PubMed, Web of Science, PsychInfo, and CINAHL but found only three studies that directly addressed the issue of HL in patients with LBP. The search parameters were limited to studies conducted between the years of 2000-2017, published in English, and formatted as an article or review. Of the initial 1037 articles that met the initial criteria, only three were empirical research studies related to HL in patients with LBP.

Due to the lack of adequate data, a full, systematic review of the subject in question was not possible. Still, the authors of the review noted that, based on the limited data, patients with chronic LBP may have a more negative attitude towards their health and a more difficult time managing their health than patients without chronic back pain. Since self-health management is a central tenet of HL, this finding could indicate that better HL could assist in determining a better, more satisfying attitude and outcome for LBP patients.

One reviewed study looked at the effect of HL on patient empowerment and found that patients who had lower levels of HL were the most dependent on practitioners and least self-empowered when it came to managing their LBP. This was true of patients who used medication for chronic conditions and those who were treated without medication. This suggests that better HL in LBP patients can empower patients and lead to a more satisfying treatment outcome.

Conclusion

Though there are limited published studies about how HL affects LBP patient treatment outcomes, the available data suggests that patients who are better informed about their health are more likely to feel empowered and have a more satisfying treatment outcome. Patients who were being treated with or without medication were more likely to report better self-sufficiency and a sense of empowerment when they were more familiar with their condition and understood the health treatment options available to them. Further evidence-based research should be conducted to fully understand the relationship between improved HL and patient treatment experience and outcomes.

KEYWORDS: the effect of health literacy on LBP treatment outcomes. the implications of patient healthcare literacy (HL) in patients with lower back pain (LBP), how HL affects LBP patient treatment outcomes, self-health management, satisfying treatment outcome.

 

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